Overlanding or flying??? (Iran to Kyrgyzstan) - Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan Travel Forum

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Bishkek

Overlanding or flying??? (Iran to Kyrgyzstan)
Posted: Fri December 12, 2008 11:47 PM UTC

Overland vs. flying (Iran to Kyrgyzstan)

I am visiting Iran in March-late May and I'm deciding whether to enter Central Asia by

1) overland via Turkmenistan or
2) by airplane to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

On one hand, I can see NO benefit in going overland since I need to arrange a difficult/expensive Turkmen transit visa in Iran, and a tourist visa to Uzbekistan, as "proof of onward travel" .

Honestly, I am more interested in Kyrgystan, and Tajikstan because of the high mountain ranges. It's going to be hot in the late spring/early summer, and Uzbekistan and Turkemistan are pretty flat compared to their mountainous neighbours. Therefore, I prefer Kyrgyz and Tajik

Anyways, that's why I am considering just flying (Iran-Kyrgyzstan) and since I am Canadian, a free visa on arrival (30 days) awaits me at Bishkek airport. Another added bonus compared to going overland.

Does anyone see the benefit of going overland? Of course, I already found an airline flying Mahshad, Iran directly to Bishkek, only a 4 hour flight, and the price is bound to be cheap. In August 2008, and Iran Aseman flight crashed killing everyone on board just 2km outside Bishkek airport.

So I guess now I'm only looking for an excuse NOT to go overland? And no the crash isn't enough, though maybe it should be? Nah, not by me.

Arriving in Bishkek by air is again beneficial because of the free visa on arrival, and the relative ease in getting a Tajik visa in Bishkek, as well as the new Chinese/Tajik border crossing recently opened (2004).

The only concern remaining is where to get a Chinese tourist visa to enter Xinjiang?

Bishkek, or Dushanbe?

Also, I am interested in entering Pakistan, and India after China, via the Karakourom highway (from Kashgar to near Islamabad). Where do I get those visas? Which embassies hand them out easier?

My possibilities are

Bishkek, Dushanbe, Tehran, or Dubai, but I have no idea when I am going to enter China, India, or Pakistan, so I need open entry dates on the visas, thus giving me freedom to travel at my own speed.

Thanks for any insight.

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song99

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Bishkek

Re: Overlanding or flying??? (Iran to Kyrgyzstan)
Posted: Thu March 19, 2009 06:08 PM UTC

Don't bother overlanding. By the way, the visa isnt free at Bishkek airport, it wills et you back 40USD - I have been told it is possible to get a two month visa these days, although don't bank on getting naything more than a month-long one.

Tourist visas to China can be obtained in Bishkek, there is a special office on Chui prospect (I think building 115 - there or thereabouts). But I heard they have recently shut down western China to tourists owing to the Tibetan unrest. So good luck with that...

Have a look at our free mkagazine at www.thespektator.co.uk for a guide to Bishkek/Kyrgyzstan, and articles about travel in the CA region.

Cheers

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